Solikope: The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has urged journalists and media owners to support efforts to reset the economy through accurate, balanced, and responsible reporting. This appeal was made by Dr. Johnson Asiama, the Governor of the BoG, during a two-day residential training workshop organized by the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers' Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) at Solikope in the Ada East District.
According to Ghana Web, the BoG-supported workshop aimed to strengthen financial and economic literacy among publishers and editors, enhancing the media's ability to interpret complex economic issues. Dr. Francis Yao Kumah, Advisor to the Governor, conveyed that Ghana entered 2026 with improved macroeconomic indicators. Inflation had decreased from 23.8 percent in December 2024 to 5.4 percent in December 2025, and conditions in the foreign exchange market had stabilized. Additionally, gross international reserves stood at US$13.9 billion, equivalent to 5.7 months of import cover.
Dr. Kumah emphasized that resetting the economy necessitated resetting expectations, institutions, and behaviors, with the media playing a critical role in shaping public understanding. He stressed the importance of responsibility in reporting, focusing on accuracy, balance, and context, and assured that the Bank remained committed to openness and engagement with the media.
He noted that monetary and financial policies were often technical, and inaccurate reporting could affect public confidence and expectations. A responsible and well-informed media, he said, helped counter misinformation and contributed to economic stability. Outlining the Bank's priorities for 2026, Dr. Kumah highlighted policy focus areas such as reforms in the foreign exchange and money markets, resilience in payment systems and digital finance, preventive supervision with an emphasis on governance and early risk identification, and clear, evidence-based policy communication.
Dr. Kumah urged journalists to enhance their understanding of economic issues and maintain integrity and accountability in reporting. He cautioned against incomplete or decontextualized reporting, which could heighten uncertainty, particularly in the foreign exchange market, and advised journalists to verify information through the Bank's official channels.
He also announced initiatives to strengthen media engagement, including expanded training programs, a regular Editors' and Producers' Forum, and the Governor's 'Economic and Financial Story of the Year' Award, which would sponsor the winning journalist to attend the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Meetings. The Bank's communications team would continue to support newsrooms with clarifications, briefings, and access to official data.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister for Government Communications, acknowledged the media's key role in sustaining democracy and holding governments accountable. He noted that Ghana's media landscape remained vibrant, despite some individuals viewing the media as a nuisance. Ofosu mentioned that President John Mahama had directed a meeting between media practitioners and security agencies to address incidents of media brutality and pledged government support for the private media sector.
Jeorge Wilson Kingson, Executive Secretary of PRINPAG, stated that the program was timely, given the current economic conditions. He explained that the sessions would cover monetary policy, fiscal reforms, debt management, digital finance, and the sustainability of media businesses in the post-debt restructuring period. Kingson highlighted that the workshop was part of a broader roadmap to reposition PRINPAG members as informed and credible contributors to national development.